Dinosaurs weren't the only "players" on the earth during the Triassic and Jurassic geologic periods, a fact quickly proven with 415 impressive color photos of fossilized plant, animal, and avian life from that distant past! Presented along with dinosaur fossils large and small, are collectible ammonites, belemnites, crustaceans, and insects, also an impressive representation of Triassic and Jurassic fossil plants, including Araucarian conifers, cycads, and crinoids. Dinosaur tracks, "stomach stones," and coprolites are also presented.The detailed text provides a wonderful overview of the range of Mesozoic period fossils by period found around the globe, discusses the ever evolving field of fossil collecting, and explores fossils represented at nineteenth and twentieth century world's fairs. Anyone with a passion for fossil collecting, paleontology, and the Earth of our distant past will treasure this authoritative volume.

This valuable book provides information on fossils, fossil collecting, and price ranges for most specimens illustrated. The comprehensive text begins with the earliest fossil record of life from strata representative of "deep time," called the Precambrian by geologists. Foremost in this early record of life are stromatolites, structures formed by very primitive photosynthetic life forms. Attractive, color photographs illustrate this highly informative section of the book. Also discussed and illustrated are various problematic fossil-like objects found in very ancient rock strata and the different ways in which they have been interpreted. Paleontological puzzles, such as latest Precambrian vendozoans, are covered as well. Other chapters feature fossils of the Cambrian Period, when animal life became obvious. Fascinating color photographs show trilobites (prehistoric creatures second only to dinosaurs in popularity), plus other Cambrian fossils. Includes helpful glossary of terms.

Open this book and take an excursion through the fossil world of the first half of the Cenozoic Era--the Age of Mammals. Over 370 color photos detail the fossil record of this bygone age from small sea creatures to the lumbering rhinoceros, Subhyracodon occidentalis, and rare fossilized bats. The engaging text outlines this fascinating period of geologic time and famous sites including Florissant, Colorado, and Grube Messel, Germany. Collectors will recognize specimens from the Green River Formation and the Oligocene White River Group, and intriguing fossils from lesser-known Early Cenozoic localities around the globe are also shown. Enthusiasts will enjoy the wide range of fossils on display, both accessible fossils any collector might hope to acquire and elusive "trophy" specimens from this era of Earth's history.

A colorful look at 3.5 billion years of stromatolites, peculiar structures produced by primitive life forms that lived over vast spans of geologic time. At once diverse, attractive, and sometimes puzzling, fossilized stromatolites are found worldwide in sedimentary rocks-often presenting striking patterns-where they grew in ancient bodies of water that covered parts of the earth billions of years before the dinosaurs. This reference presents a basic, nontechnical account, along with 636 beautiful images of these most ancient of Earthly collectibles. Stromatolites, and the cyanobacteria that produced most of them, were responsible not only for the fossils themselves, but also, more importantly, for the introduction of free oxygen into the planet's atmosphere. Covering a diverse variety of stromatolites and the geologic objects that can resemble them, this book is a delight for stromatophiles as well as those curious about the early Earth.

Over 670 color photos reveal the Paleozoic plants that covered the earth from 500 to 260 million years ago, well before the dinosaurs roamed the world. These plants provide some of the earliest records to the greening of planet earth. They also make fascinating, very attractive fossils, which can be considered as "nature's artwork." The fossil record provides a window into the first "forests" of the Devonian Period, followed by the peculiar plants of the Lower Carboniferous. These plants, in turn, were followed by those of the Upper Carboniferous, abundant vegetation that is responsible for almost half of the planet's coal seams. Coal swamp vegetation is followed by the more sparse Permian floras, which preceded what was the earth's most profound extinction event. Marine plants also make their appearance in the world during this period, as do various puzzling fossil tracks and burrows previously thought to be marine plant fossils. This book is for all who are curious about the ancient earth.

560 color photos and engaging text take readers on a journey back to a world first of tropical climates and then plunging into an Ice Age. It covers the Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene, and Holocene Epochs, and includes a dazzling array of fossils, including plants, mollusks, sharks, insects, mammoths, and mastodons. This is the age when familiar plants and animals arise and where humans first appear on the Earth. Human intelligence grows and early tools are also included in this sweeping review of "recent" geological history. The tools include hand axes, Paleolithic scrapers, and an easily recognizable Clovis spear point. Explore the dawning of the world we know. Current value ranges for the fossils displayed here are included. This is the perfect gift for anyone who has wondered where we all came from and evidence of how things used to be.

The Ozarks highland region of the Midwest, located in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, contains beautiful mineral specimens for those with sharp eyes and a keen interest to discover minerals. Over 500 images represent the collectible minerals of the western Ozarks tristate district and Missouri s Viburnum Trend. Barite and fluorite as well as a variety of colorful copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron minerals grace the pages of this book, as do various forms of calcite and quartz, the latter of which can be a rock hound's delight. The fascinating and approachable text discusses these "Mississippi Valley Type" (MVT) minerals, their deposition, how they fit into the broader scope of North American mineralogy, and the locations of MVT minerals around the world. A focus of the book are those minerals that historically occur along the Ozarks' extensive waterways. This unique book is a must for anyone fascinated with the earth's natural beauty."

Over 650 vivid color photos reveal the geo-collectible fossils and minerals associated with the first two billion years of earth's history. The engaging text explores the geology of shield areas and their associated rocks and minerals. Also examined are pegmatites and their associated minerals, including attractive minerals and crystals like emerald and aquamarine. Early minerals and rocks associated with the formation of the earth's atmosphere are also revealed-the geologic strata known as BIF (Banded Iron Formation). Some of the earth's oldest fossils are included, displayed in outcrops harboring the earliest evidence of life. A variety of unusual minerals associated with early limestone-like rocks (now usually found as marble) are revealed, including highly prized rocks used for decorative carvings as well as gemstones. Greenstone belts, among the earliest rocks on the planet, are also examined and their interesting association with much of the earth's gold deposits is explored. This book is a must for anyone passionate about geology and paleontology.

Over 500 photos and engaging text reveal the fossils of the Cretaceous Period, the last period of the Mesozoic Era, the "Age of Reptiles," dating from 120 to 67 million years ago. Included are typical Mesozoic fossils, such as the ammonites, belemnites, and other collectible fossil mollusks characteristic of the Cretaceous, a variety of plants, well-preserved arthropods such as crabs and insects, turtles, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. Fossils recovered range from the Early Cretaceous to the Upper Cretaceous III, ending at the KT boundary representing the events that swept dinosaurs off the face of the planet. Each fossil displayed is carefully identified, along with the region from which it was recovered. The book aids fossil collectors and all who are intrigued about the fascinating artifacts of this early age.

In this second book on Paleozoic fossils, over 840 all new specimens from this period are provided, organized by biologic (taxonomic) position. It is a real eye candy feast for fossil enthusiasts. Come and explore the fossil evidence for a world that was ancient and long gone when the dinosaurs ruled the earth. Discover the sponges, archaeocyathids (reef builders), cnidaria, worms, brachiopods, bryozoans, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms, and chordates that populated the oceans and inhabited the land from 535 to 235 million years ago. Much of the fossil record for this era reveals marine organisms in many forms, but this is also the period when clear evidence for plants and animals appears in hard rock. While the earth presents many natural barriers to the collecting of Paleozoic fossils, the author has overcome those barriers to present readers with a formidable collection.

Explore the rich fossil record of the Paleozoic Era, from the Cambrian (545 million years ago) through the Permian (almost 300 million years ago) with 650 high quality color photos and detailed, highly readable text. Following his successful work on the earliest fossils, the author now starts at that time in earths history when life blossomed into a variety of body plans (phyla), and explores the successive periods of the Paleozoic Era. These include the Cambrian; the early, mid-, and late Ordovician; the Silurian and Devonian with their numerous marine fossils and some of the earths first land plants and early fish; the diverse land plants and peculiar marine life of the Carboniferous (Mississippian and Pennsylvanian periods); and the fossils of the Permian, including many fossils of life forms that would go extinct in the worlds greatest extinction event.\nThis is a great book for fossil hunters of all ilks and anyone interested in the early remnants of life. Those who collect or trade fossils will find a useful guide to the values of the fossils.

Over 500 color images and engaging text provide insight into these interesting collectibles from "out of this world." Meteorites link back to the early stages of the Milky Way galaxy and are the oldest items one can touch, some dating back to before the creation of our solar system. Meteorites are also among the most primitive forms of matter you can closely observe and handle. Some of these ambassadors from the void were created in stars that no longer exist. Others provide the curious researcher with original material from the earliest days of our own solar system. These rocks tell tales to those who know how to read them of nebulas, novas, supernovas, red giants, and impacting celestial bodies. Readers can explore metallic, stony-iron, and stony meteorites, meteorite falls, Northwest African meteorites, and rare meteorites.